Lifting Device

ABSTRACT

A lifting device has an elongate lifting arm provided with a suction mount enabling securing of the device to a body to be lifted. The suction mount has suction devices spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the lifting arm sufficiently for a user to grip the lifting arm in between the suction mount devices. The device extends away from the suction mount, in the longitudinal direction of the lifting arm, to a handle spaced from the suction mount, and which extends upwardly above the lifting arm on the opposite side of the lifting arm to the suction mount devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from PCT/GB/2010/000885 filed on May 5,2010 and from GB 0907781.9, filed May 6, 2009, which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lifting device, and in particular tosuch a device for use in lifting sheets or panels, more particularly forlifting glazing panels.

State of the Art

Lifting devices including a suction mount arrangement enabling securingof the lifting device to a body to be lifted (for example a glazingpanel) are known. Exemplary such lifting devices are disclosed forexample in DE2013755 and in FIG. 5 of WO2007/039738. Devices includespaced sucker suction devices mounted to an interconnecting handle. Suchdevices are often referred to as ‘telephone sucker’ or ‘telephonelifter’ devices in view of their appearance resembling a telephonehandset. Typically the suction devices include a lever having a camwhich is movable to urge a cam follower to push down the concave dish ofthe flexible sucker body so energising or de-energising the suctiondevice. The interconnecting handle provides a grip for the device toenable lifting of the relevant windscreen or the like.

Recently lifting and positioning assistance devices such as thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,411 have come into use, particularlyfor large glazing panels to be installed in vehicles. The device alsoincludes a suction mount arrangement to secure a support tube 36 to theglazing panel. When using lifting assistance devices in concert withusing traditional telephone sucker type lifting devices, it is difficultto maintain comfortable hand wrist and arm positions.

An improved and more versatile lifting device has now been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a lifting devicecomprising an elongate lifting arm having a suction mount arrangementenabling securing of the device to a body to be lifted, the suctionmount arrangement comprising first and second suction devices spacedapart in the longitudinal direction of the lifting arm wherein thespacing between the first and second suction mount devices is sufficientfor a user to grip the lifting arm in between the first and secondsuction mount devices; the device extending away from the suction mountarrangement, in the longitudinal direction of the lifting arm, to ahandle portion spaced from the suction mount arrangement in thelongitudinal direction, and extending upwardly above the lifting arm onthe opposite side of the lifting arm to the suction mount devices.

It is preferred that the lifting arm portion extends away from thesuction mount arrangement by a distance equal to or more than thespacing between the first and second suction mount devices. Thisprovides a good length of lifting arm to enable versatile liftingpractices to be utilised.

Beneficially, the spacing between the first and second suction mountdevices is sufficient for a user to grip the device in between the firstand second suction mount devices. Particularly, it is desirable that thespacing between the position of fixing the suction mounting devices tothe lifting device is sufficient for a user to grip the device inbetween fixing positions.

It is preferred that the suction mount arrangement is mounted to thedevice by means of an adjustable and/or flexible fixing arrangement. Inone embodiment this may be achieved by means of providing atilting/pivoting fixing which enables the suction mount to be pivoted ortilted with respect to the elongate lifting arm.

In a preferred embodiment, the handle portion has a plurality of handlegrip portions extending in different attitudes, angles or in differentorientations. In such an embodiment a first handle portion preferablyextends in a generally upward orientation and a second handle portionmay preferably extend in a direction generally outwardly from themounting portion of the device.

Beneficially an angled, curve-form or bowed grip portion interconnectsthe first and second handle to form a closed handle ring. Thearrangement provides a handle grip above the level of the mounting arm,in addition to the grip between the mounting suction devices. Suchfeatures provide ergonomic benefits and possibility of variety ofpotential use.

Beneficially, the suction mount arrangement is mounted with respect tothe device to extend downwardly (i.e the suction mount arrangement isunder-slung with respect to the lifting arm of the device).

The invention will now be further described in specific embodiments, byway of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of lifting device inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a second embodiment of lifting device in accordancewith the invention;

FIGS. 3 a to 3 c are schematic views of the lifting device of thepresent invention in use in various applications;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of lifting device inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a lifting device 1comprising an elongate tubular lifting arm 2 which has a mountingsection 3 to which are mounted a pair of suction mount devices 4,5. Themounting devices may be generally in accordance with known prior artdevices such as disclosed for example in DE20103755 and WO2007/039738and may comprise a flexible rubber sucker 6 mounted to a hard plasticmounting shell 7. An actuation lever 8 is pivotally mounted to themounting shell 7, the primary purpose of the actuation lever being toenergise or de-energise the sucker when the lever is moved between anenergised and a de-energised position. The suction mount device 4, 5 canin this way be placed on a surface (such as a glazing panel) andenergised to form a reduced pressure suction engagement with thesurface. This engagement is robust enough to enable the panel to belifted with the suction mount device 4,5.

Each of the sucker mount devices 4,5 is mounted to the mounting section3 of the lifting arm 2 by means of a pivotally secured mounting bracket9 secured by a pivot pin 10 and permitting pivotal movement over a smallrange with respect to the mounting arm 2. This limited pivotal movementof the sucker mount devices 4,5 is sufficient to ensure good sealingcontact on curved glazing panels (such as curved windshields).

The portion of the lifting arm extending between the mounting pivot pins10 is provided with a plastics grip sheath 11. Distance between themounting pins 10 is such that the user can easily grip the lifting armin the mounting section between the suction mount devices 4,5.

Extending away from lifting arm 2 toward a distal end 12 of the deviceis a cantilever extension section 15 of the lifting arm 2. Typically thecantilever extension section 15 of the lever arm 2 extends away from themounting section 3 by distance of equal or more to the length of themounting section 3 (typically the extension section length is in therange 20 to 50 cm). Therefore a relatively long extension is providedextending away from the mounting section 3. Towards its distal end 12the extension section 15 is provided with a curved-form handle portion14 which curves upwardly with respect to the mounting section. Thecurved section 14 is provided with a plastics grip sheath 13. The curveform handle section 14 is of sufficient length and curvature to begripped by a user in a variety of positions.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 2, where like parts areidentified with like reference numerals with respect to FIG. 1. Thearrangement of FIG. 2 is generally identical to the arrangement of FIG.1 in respect of the mounting section 3 and the under slung mounting ofthe suction mounting devices 4,5.

The extension section 15 of the lifting arm 2 also extends to anupwardly curved distal end handle 14. However in this instance, betweenthe distal end handle 14 and the mounting section 3, the extensionportion 15 of the lifting handle 2 is curved to a bow-form section 17extending upwardly with respect to the mounting section 3. Thisbow-section 17 has in certain uses been found to provide ergonomicbenefits. The extension section 15 extends from the mounting section 3for approximately 30 cms whereas the distance between the mounting pins10 of the suction mount devices 4,5 is approximately 22 cms. A devicehaving these dimensions has been found to be suitable for ergonomic usein practice.

An alternative embodiment of lifting device is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.In the embodiment shown, the mounting section of the device is generallysimilar to the mounting section of the device shown in the previousembodiments. Each of the sucker mount devices 104, 105 is mounted to themounting section 103 of the lifting arm 102 by means of a pivotallysecured mounting bracket secured by a pivot pin 110 and permittingpivotal movement over a small range with respect to the mounting arm102. This limited pivotal movement of the sucker mount devices 104, 105is sufficient to ensure good sealing contact on curved glazing panels(such as curved windshields).

The portion of the lifting arm extending between the mounting pivot pins110 is provided with a plastics grip sheath 111. Distance between thesuction mount devices 104, 105 is such that the user can easily grip thelifting arm 102 in the mounting section between the suction mountdevices 104,105. As can be seen from the plan view in FIG. 5, thelongitudinal axis of the lifting arm 102 is offset from the axis of thesucker devices 104, 105 in order to accommodate the over-centre leveractuation mechanism 108 of the sucker devices 104, 105.

Extending away from mounting section 103 toward a distal end 112 of thedevice is a short extension section 115 of the lifting arm 102. Theshort extension section 115 is angled to extend upwardly in an upwarddirection on the opposite side of the lifting arm 102 to the suctiondevices 104, 105. The short extension 115 connects with a handlearrangement 114 which includes handle sections 114 a 114 b and 114 c ofdiffering orientations. Handle section 114 a extends outwardly away fromthe mounting section and is inclined slightly downwardly (to the side ofthe device on which the suction mount devices are positioned). Handlesection 114 c extends upwardly away from the mounting section 103 and isinclined slightly toward the mounting section 103.

Handle section 104 b is curved or angled to connect with spaced portionsof the handle sections 104 a and 104 c to form a closed handle ringhaving a central opening zone 120. Handle sections 104 a and 104 c arepreferably of a size (length) to be gripped by a hand of the user.Handle section 104 b is at least long enough to be gripped by two handsof the user arranged side by side gripping the handle length. Thedifferently orientated and positioned handle sections 104 a 104 b 104 c111 enable a number of different gripping possibilities and provideenhanced versatility of use options.

The distal end of the handle arrangement is spaced from the mountingsection by a distance substantially corresponding to (or greater than)the spacing of the suction mount devices 104, 105. This provides anextension and handle length that is typically in the range 20 to 50 cm.Therefore a relatively long extension is provided extending away fromthe mounting section 103. The handle arrangement projects upwardly abovethe lifting arm on the opposite side of the lifting arm to the suctionmount devices.

The lifting device has been found extremely versatile in terms of itsapplicability for different uses. As shown in FIG. 3 a, a user can use apair of devices gripped in the mounting section 3 to lift and place aglazing panel such as a windshield in the same manner as telephonesucker devices as known in the prior art have previously been used. Insuch lifting applications the extension section 15 and upwardlyextending handle 14 is not used and is directed away from the user.

Additionally, the lifting device of the present invention can be usedfor glazing panel installations using a lifting assistance device suchas for example disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,411. Such an applicationis shown in FIG. 3 b in which the assistance device 50 comprises apivoted arm 51 having a sucker mount 52 which is secured by suction tothe windshield 100. The user may use the device 1 of the presentinvention as a pair with one held in each hand and in this instance,because the windshield is relatively large (necessitating the use of theassistance device 50) the user may grip the handle 114 of the device bythe upwardly curved distal end handle section 14 b. The curved handleportions 114 b are positioned such that they extend beyond the peripheryof the glazing panel. The installer is then able to find the mostcomfortable position for their hands on the curved part of the handle.This enables the arms to remain tucked in at the side of the user, whichprovides the safest and the easiest position for lifting. Having hishands positioned outside the periphery of the glazing panel allows theinstaller to manoeuvre the glazing panel by pushing from below ratherthan from pulling from above so that they can more comfortably andsafely work on taller vehicles. Also the extension that the deviceprovides by virtue of the extension section and handle 114 extendingaway from the mounting section 113 provides more convenient and safermeans for movement of the glazing panels around higher vehicles withlonger bonnets.

The device of the present invention may also be used for two personinstallations as shown in FIG. 3 c, particularly for large glazingpanels. Each installer has one pair of lifting devices which arepositioned one towards the top and one towards the bottom of the glazingpanel. The distal end handles 114 extend outwardly beyond the peripheryof the glazing panel 100.

Each installer is able to find the most comfortable handle sectionposition 114 a 114 b 114 c on the distal end handle 114. In this contextthe provision of the bowed section 17 of the embodiment FIG. 2 has beenfound to provide benefits. The ability to grip the handle sections 114 band 114 c positioned above the level of the lifting arm 102 sucker mountdevices is particularly useful in certain circumstances.

Because the handle portions 114 are positioned outwardly of theperiphery of the glazing panel, the installers can comfortably use bothhands and push from below with a neutral wrist position rather than pullfrom above where the wrist will inevitably become bent which is lessfavourable from a safety and ergonomic point of view. An additionalbenefit of being able to use the handle extension is that the user willgenerally have a better view for positioning the glass allowing carefullaying in of both top and bottom edges.

The device provides a useful and versatile lifting tool for useindividually, in pairs or in combination with other devices.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A device operable by a user to lift a body, the device comprising: an elongate lifting arm extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein a section of the lifting arm has a suction mount arrangement enabling securing of the device to the body, wherein said suction mount arrangement includes first and second suction devices spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, wherein the spacing between the first and second suction devices is sufficient for the user to grip the lifting arm in between the first and second suction devices; and a handle portion spaced from the suction mount arrangement in the longitudinal direction, wherein the handle portion extends upwardly above the section of the lifting arm of the suction mount arrangement.
 12. A device according to claim 11, wherein: the handle portion extends from the lifting arm opposite the section of the lifting arm of the suction mount arrangement.
 13. A device according to claim 11, wherein: the handle portion extends away from the section of the lifting arm of the suction mount arrangement by a distance substantially equal to, or more than, the spacing between the first and second suction devices.
 14. A device according to claim 11, wherein: the handle portion has a plurality of handle grip portions disposed in different orientations.
 15. A device according to claim 14, wherein: a first handle grip portion extends in a generally upward orientation; and a second handle grip portion extends in a direction generally away from the section of the lifting arm of the suction mount arrangement.
 16. A device according to claim 15, wherein: an angled or bowed grip portion interconnects the first and second handle grip portions to form a closed handle ring.
 17. A device according to claim 11, wherein: the suction mount arrangement is mounted to the device by means of an adjustable fixing arrangement.
 18. A device according to claim 17, wherein: the adjustable fixing arrangement enables a respective suction device to be pivoted or tilted with respect to said lifting arm.
 19. A device according to claim 11, wherein: the handle portion is positioned proximate an end of the lifting arm spaced from the section of the lifting arm of the suction mount arrangement.
 20. A device according to claim 11, wherein: the suction mount arrangement is operably disposed below the lifting arm.
 21. A device according to claim 11, wherein: the section of the lifting arm of the suction mount arrangement includes a grip handle disposed between the first and second suction devices.
 22. A device operable by a user to lift a body, the device comprising: an elongate lifting arm extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein a section of the lifting arm has a suction mount arrangement enabling securing of the device to the body, wherein the suction mount arrangement includes first and second suction devices spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, wherein the spacing between the first and second suction devices is sufficient for the user to grip the lifting arm in between the first and second suction devices; and a handle portion spaced from the suction mount arrangement in the longitudinal direction.
 23. A device according to claim 22, wherein: the section of the lifting arm of the suction mount arrangement includes a grip handle disposed between the first and second suction devices. 